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East Greenland – Scoresby Sund – Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail

East Greenland – Scoresby Sund – Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail

From USD $6,300

Description

Sail through Earth’s largest fjord system on a historic three-masted vessel, getting the chance to encounter exotic Arctic wildlife like musk oxen and Arctic hares under the enchanting aurora borealis. Greenland whales may also appear between landing sites, where we will enjoy enormous icebergs, ancient Thule settlements, and scenic shoreline hikes.

Trip Name
East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type:  Expedition Yacht Length: 49.5 metres Passenger Capacity: 33 Built / refurbished: 1900's / 1994 / 2011 Rembrandt van Rijn is a three-masted schooner with origins as a 1947 herring lugger, later rebuilt for passenger voyages and fully modernised to meet current safety standards. Its compact size, shallow draft, and renewed navigation systems make it well suited to navigating the channels, fjords, and smaller islands of the Arctic. Open deck space supports uninterrupted viewing under sail or engine power, while Zodiacs extend access to remote shorelines. Cabins are simple and functional, all with private facilities, arranged across triple, twin inside, and twin porthole layouts. The ship carries a maximum of 33 passengers with a small, experienced crew and two guides, creating an informal, close-knit environment. Daily landings focus on wildlife, geology, and natural history, with itineraries adjusted to conditions for maximum time ashore. Meals are straightforward and served buffet-style, and the vessel maintains an expedition-first profile without luxury positioning. Rembrandt van Rijn’s advantage lies in scale: the ability to move quietly, land efficiently, and create an intimate sailing-based expedition experience.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Push-off at Constable Pynt
 You arrive by chartered plane from Keflavik and land at Constable Pynt, the airfield at the head of Hurry Inlet. This area is known for its remarkably rich geological history.
Day 2 - Day 2: Sailing among the glaciers
 Enjoy the sights as we sail the glaciated Volquart Boons Coast. Here you may set out on a Zodiac cruise along one of the shoreline glacier fronts, with your first activity near Månegletcher or Vikingebugt.
Day 3 - Day 3: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
 We sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If we can also land at Charcot Havn, we will make a walk to the Charcot Glacier before continuing by the Bjørneør and sail to Øfjord.
Day 4 - Day 4-7: Mountain-fringed fjord
 Today marks a visit to the east entrance of one of the most impressive fjords in the world: Ø Fjord is almost 40 nautical miles long (74 km, 46 miles), with mountains on each side up to 2,000 meters high (6,562 feet), and icebergs that drift over depths of more than 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). The aim is to land at Jyttehavn and hike the tundra in mythic surroundings. We may also sail into Harefjord, Rypefjord, and Rödefjord, walking into C. Hoffmanhalvöya and on Storö. We will then land near Sydkap, where you can see colossal icebergs, some of them over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer long (.62 mile). Most of these bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). At Sakatajik we can also view the remains of Thule winter houses. As many as twenty people lived here once, hunting Greenland whales and building houses out of their vertebrae.
Day 5 - Day 8: The tundra of Jameson Land
 At the western shores of Jameson Land lies a vast tundra with grazing musk oxen. We will try to make a landing on one of the areas, such as Tyskit Nunat, remembering Alfred Wegener’s efforts to cross Vandreblokken. We may also visit Kap Hooker or a lovely lagoon west of Kap Stewart.
Day 6 - Day 9: Settlement at Scoresbysund
 Today’s stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen.
Day 7 - Day 10-11: Under the northern lights
 If there is not too much cloud cover, you might enjoy the magical lightshow of the aurora borealis today.
Day 8 - Day 12: Journey’s end in Akureyri
 We disembark in the Icelandic town of Akureyri, taking home memories that will accompany us wherever the next adventure lies. If requested, you can take a chartered bus (six-hour drive) to Reykjavik.
Day 9 - Please note:
End of tripThis trip concludes with a crossing of the Denmark Strait. Since Northern Atlantic weather can be rough in October, the captain will decide when to depart East Greenland to make for the most pleasant crossing.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
01-10-202612-10-2026USD $6,300Triple Private
01-10-202612-10-2026USD $6,700Twin Private Inside
01-10-202612-10-2026USD $7,600Twin Private Porthole
01-10-202712-10-2027USD $6,650Triple Private
01-10-202712-10-2027USD $7,050Twin Private Inside
01-10-202712-10-2027USD $8,050Twin Private Porthole

Inclusions

    • Sailing among the glaciers
    • Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
    • The tundra of Jameson Land
    • Settlement at Scoresbysund

Map